München and Drinkin', München and Drinkin'...life is pretty good these days. We've been laid over in Munich for a couple of nights now at a city campground called "The Tent". Turns out hostels in this town, famous for its biergartens, are quite pricey.

Out of Prague we rode into the setting sun, making our way across the farmlands and hidden river valleys of western Bohemia towards the age-old spa town of Karlovy Vary. Since the days of old (and new), the likes of Russian Czar Peter the Great, composer JS Bach and even Sister Act megastar Whoopi Goldberg have pampered their nether regions in the mineral spring water of KV. Not a couple to be outclassed by the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Ainaz and I gave the spas a shot. Well, the local swimming pool anyway - the spa treatments are quite pricey you see, although they almost got me with lower intestinal "bath" treatment. Darnit! Outclassed again! One of these days, Goldberg, one of these days.

South of KV we hit up another lesser known spa town, Marianske Lazne. Beautiful towns, the both of them, but way too many tourists kicking around. Most definitely worth checking out if one is in the area, however. Furthermore, the public swimming pool facilities are very good to excellent!

All right! Back into Deutchland! Never planned on staying that long in Czech Rep., but once you're there you may as well czech it out for all it's worth, wouldn't want to czechen out and leave too soon, you know? <shudder> Terrible. Germany welcomed us back with a midday thunderstorm that carried on into the middle of the night, soaking us and our belongings thoroughly yet again. Subsequently, the both of us have come ill with head colds. We're trying not to let that affect our beer and bratwurst intake.

Munich has got some clout when it comes to beer. This is the home of Octoberfest, which from what I hear rates something of a distant second to UBC Engineering's OctoberfEUSt, but is a good party nonetheless. Unfortunately it's July, but the gartens are still alive and well, pumping out one litre steins of malty goodness to the likes of men wearing women's clothing, men wearing 3/4 length jumpsuits, and sometimes men wearing nothing at all (very relaxed clothing laws in the English Garden district) all to the upbeat sounds of live polka bands. Added to that are pregnant women (note picture), young children and cheesy tourists (note authors) who get giddy at the sight of a 1 L colossus of a beer and take photo after photo of each other posing in a variety of chugging stances with said beers.

Munich was wicked fun. Feels too early to leave but we have a great stretch coming up. Southward to Füssen and the likes of crazy king Ludwig's castle (modeled after for the Snow White tale). A quick dip back into Austria (we are getting mighty close to our earlier trail!), along the Bodensee and the headwaters of the Rhine, skimming along the north of Switzerland and dropping to Bern to visit friend Matt. Exiting times I tells ya! Stay tuned...